Introducing Low Carbon Tours…
In October 2021 I made a conscious decision to change mine and my families lifestyle. No, I am not trotting out the story about me packing in my job and becoming a tour guide again, that came 18 months later. Instead, we went from having two cars in our family to one - my beloved VW Golf was sold off to the highest bidder. So far, so first world problems right? But this wasn’t a decision that would make life more convenient for us, far from it. Nor was it a financial decision - I was working at a very reputable firm, and they compensated me very well for my services.
Some context - the date is important here, we were in the post peak pandemic, where home working or hybrid was becoming the norm, so that added flexibility my wife and I had meant we didn’t both have to rush away in cars each and every day. Flexibility allowed us to work in a way where I could still take the car to the nearest train station at Gorebridge to get to work or, if my wife needed the car on a given day, I had the X62 bus which left from outside my front door and took me straight to the office. The X62 is excellent, and so underappreciated by us Borderers, but it’s not a solution I would advise to anyone to do every day of the year, however when used occasionally I feel that is one very underrated bus route.
So why did I take this decision? During lockdown I had devoured the writing of Chris and Melissa Bruntlett, two influential advocates for sustainable urban mobility. They co-authored a book called Curbing Traffic, highlighting the transformative power of walking, cycling and public transport, drawing inspiration from their experiences living in the Netherlands. I couldn’t put it down - it felt like a blueprint that could be adapted everywhere (yes, I know Holland is flat - but it doesn’t mean we can’t try!) I then discovered revelatory YouTube videos on channels such as Not Just Bikes and, despite living in a small, semi rural town tried to emulate the ‘car lite’ principals. For example, as well as dropping the second car, we never drive in Innerleithen or neighbouring Traquair & Walkerburn if it can be at all avoided (much to my eldest daughters annoyance, as she watches all the other kids zoom away into the wet, dark night after pickup from Rainbows or football). Our family started making the bus our preferred route to neighbouring towns and I even bought myself a hybrid e-bike, so that I could make my way up the Tweed Valley Railway Path to Peebles in 25 minutes without giving myself a heart attack. I think these are all positive steps to take, and I am glad I did. The crucial point here is that this wouldn’t work for everyone of course, and I’ve never sought to persuade anyone to take similar steps. We are all running our own races out there. As a family, we just rolled with the circumstances which presented themselves at the time and got on with it. But then, of course, I flipped the whole thing on it’s head…
Becoming a one car family, October 2021
Rickie was chuffed - that’s a big win!
Packing in my job in Edinburgh to become a self employed driver guide meant that we could no longer be a one car family. I was back in the market for a vehicle and in June 2023 I purchased a very nice, comfortable Honda CRV in Glasgow. Did I have to wrestle with my conscience about this decision, did it give me any cause to reconsider the career change? Well, no, it didn’t. As I said before, you deal with the circumstances of the time and to make this career work I would need a suitable vehicle. It didn’t mean I became a massive hypocrite overnight, there are shades of grey in every decision we make in life. Surely it’s OK to have a bit of tension between your personal decisions, and broader ideals so I wasn’t about to beat myself up, especially in the glow of starting a new business and taking a huge leap of faith. And I am so glad I have taken that leap - would the Australian family I took to remote Oxnam Kirk to see where their ancestors worshipped have got there if I hadn’t guided them? Would the Indian couple who wanted to see the ‘true Scotland’ have made it to the pass over Talla Linfoots? Or what about the elderly lady from Nova Scotia who wanted to desperately walk among heather on Scottish hills? Not to mention the family members I found online, by chance, and was able to guide into the Border hills, giving them a moment of a lifetime, splashing in Border burns? All made possible with a driver guide in Scotland - we do good things, helping tourism & communities thrive. The nagging feeling remained however, how could I do something that helps further my career as a guide and attracts people to the Borders, while occasionally leaving the car at home? Since last year, I have been offering public 'Storytelling Walks,' which have quickly become a highlight of my calendar. These walks will continue to run occasionally, providing fantastic value for mixed groups. An inspiring visit to a tourism conference ignited the idea of taking private walking tours in an exciting new direction. From that spark, the concept of Low Carbon Tours was born. They offer something inspiring, informative & fun while aligning with the growing need & demand for sustainable, responsible travel experiences. Each one starts at a location easily and readily accessible by public transport, and I have included links on the booking page so that guests can easily plan how to get to the meeting point. This is then followed by a slow paced walking tour, allowing my guests to truly get to know a place, and pick up on things that they they might otherwise overlook. This, plus the thoughtful and quirky wee extras I like to throw into my tours, adds up to what I think is a perfect package for guests and a great way to complement my Bespoke, diver-guided tours. I’ve now added four locations to the Low Carbon Tours page: Peebles, Biggar, Melrose and my hometown of Innerleithen. Each tour costs £200 (excluding your transport to and from the meet up point). However, Innerleithen is currently available at an exceptionally good value of just £75. Each walking tour can accommodate up to ten guests and lasts between two and three hours.
I’m delighted to be launching this new offering with Low Carbon Tours. To the best of my knowledge, no one else is providing a similar experience in Scotland. Why not be among the first to try out this adventure and join me for a truly memorable tour?
